Mile High Maniac
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Denver Nuggets Travel to Indianapolis to Face Pacers

By Jonathan Savitske

Jan 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) dribbles the ball under pressure from Indiana Pacers guard Monta Ellis (11) in the fourth quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets defeated the Pacers 129-126. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) dribbles the ball under pressure from Indiana Pacers guard Monta Ellis (11) in the fourth quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets defeated the Pacers 129-126. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Denver Nuggets travel to Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis to face the Pacers for a Saturday night tilt.

After losing two straight games, the Denver Nuggets rebounded with a win over the Washington Wizards on Thursday by a 117-113 score. Danilo Gallinari led the Nuggets in scoring with 26 points, including 4 three-pointers which keyed the victory. Emmanuel Mudiay had one of his best showings of his rookie campaign, scoring 20 points on 50 percent shooting. Will Barton and Nikola Jokic each added 15 points as well.

The Indiana Pacers are coming off a route of the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday, where they closed the game on a 23-2 run. 19-year-old rookie Myles Turner scored 20 points to help Indiana hold off a late charge by the Hawks. On a night when Paul George struggled from the field, it was the contributions of the rookie Turner who helped Indiana gain some momentum after losing three straight games before Thursday. Last time against the Denver Nuggets, Myles Turner scored a career high 25 points.

The last time these two teams faced each other, the Denver Nuggets pulled out a close victory when at the Pepsi Center against the Pacers, winning 129-126. In that game 2 weeks ago, Danilo Gallinari led the Denver Nuggets with 20 points, while Will Barton added 21 off the bench.

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While the Pacers don’t possess one of the better home court advantages in the NBA this season, it is still a difficult place to play, as Indiana is currently 8 games over .500 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Frank Vogel’s team thrives by stealing the ball and making baskets in transition. Defensively, they are one of the more difficult squads in the league to play against (just ask the Hawks, one of the better offensive teams in the league).

Pacers’ point guard George Hill is also having one his best shooting seasons of his career, sinking 44 percent of his long-range tries. Along with All-Star forward Paul George, the Pacers are capable of going out on quick runs to either narrow a deficit or to take a big league.

Next: Emmanuel Mudiay is Developing Before Our Eyes

Emmanuel Mudiay has played well as of late, and will need to continue his recent string of good performances on the road in Indiana. If the Denver Nuggets can hold Paul George in check, they stand a good chance of getting another victory on the road.

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